The European Union A Policy of States and Peoples

Author: Walter van Gerven
Publisher: Hart Publishing
ISBN: 9781841135298
Published In: March 2005
Format: Paperback , 416 pages
Jurisdiction: European Union ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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This book explains to a general audience what the European Union is about and how it has grown since 1952 into a polity of 25 States and a population of more than 450 million people. It explains the constitution-making process that is currently taking place in the European Union, and the significance of the draft constitution which has been submitted for ratification by the 25 member states.

The book is written from a legal perspective, but contains many references to political science and recent American and European history. It aims to show how the distinctive features of a democratic polity that characterize the Member States can be gradually transplanted to the European Union. To make the book useful to a more specialized set of readers, such as students of law and politics, it contains a large number of notes that contain detailed information and point to additional reading on a variety of topics.

The book draws on the author's exceptionally wide and profound knowledge of the institutions of the EU, its history, its laws and its varied cultures.

Walter van Gerven was formerly an Advocate General at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and has held chairs in law at the Universities of Louvain/Leuven and Maastricht.

…van Gerven's book provides a thoughtful and largely original critique of the constitutional structures and futures of the European Union…The result is a book that should be of enduring relevance and interest to debates about constitutionalism in the European Union…there is a wealth of insight and understanding of normative and practical constitutionalism…The book provides a panoramic view of the issues it addresses and it also suggests meaningful answers to the questions it raises.
Gordon Anthony
Public Law
2006

…writes in a clear style, free of the social-science jargon,…The book should be welcome particularly by comparatists interested not just in European Union law but in federalism and public law generally.
Eric Stein
European Law Review
2006

...a uniquely knowledgeable interdisciplinary account of European integration by someone whose brilliance as a European and Comparative Lawyer is too well known to need any rehearsal…the book…provides much material to engage with on many levels and the argumentation is always clear and succinct.
Geert De Baere
International & Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol 55, Part 2
April 2006

...this elegantly written book paints the big picture..and the narrative is unusually helpful in guiding the reader through the complexity, which should ensure the book's value and interest…
Stephen Weatherill
European Law Review
June 2006

Both comprehensive and reliable!
Bulletin Quotidien Europe
November 2005

...raises the right questions and directs readers towards interesting analysis...
David Schultz
Law and Politics Review
September 2005